A strong defensive handgun training program begins with mastering the fundamentals.

Establishing sound defensive shooting techniques helps you get the hits you need to stop a threat, consistently and efficiently. This PDN Academy Class breaks down the fundamental elements of defensive shooting and provides detailed instruction that you can train at the range.

Your instructor is professional defensive shooting instructor and PDN Executive Director Rob Pincus. Rob contrasts traditional shooting techniques, designed for marksmanship in a controlled environment, with the techniques designed specifically for defensive use in response to a threat.

Rob demonstrates each of the critical elements of defensive shooting, from grip and stance to trigger control and presentation from a holster – all while focusing on shooting consistently and achieving maximum efficiency in order to stop a threat.

Countless students have benefitted from the lessons taught in this information-packed class. You’ll follow along as each aspect of defensive shooting is broken down, discussed and demonstrated with great detail. You’ll break the mold of traditional pistol shooting form and build the fundamentals of effective defensive shooting from head to toe. Each class session is easy to follow, simple to learn, and provides a solid foundation for defensive shooters of all abilities.

Take advantage of the convenience and value of this highly informative class to guide your defensive shooting skills. Apply the fundamentals you learn with this PDN Academy Class to help in your range training and develop the skills you need to carry with confidence.

In addition to the dynamic video presentation, upon purchase of the class, you’ll have access to a free printable download covering key aspects of the lessons presented.

Rob Pincus

As Executive Director of Personal Defense Network (PDN), Rob Pincus is the embodiment of PDN’s commitment to providing affordable, accessible, practical personal defense information and effective training for the masses. Rob has produced over 100 Training DVDs, published 9 books and written countless articles on topics related to all aspects of personal defense. His I.C.E. Training Company has developed many training programs and certified hundreds of instructors to help others be prepared to defend themselves and those they care about. Rob currently serves as a Reserve Deputy with the San Juan County (Colorado) Sheriff’s Office.
From 2003 through 2007, Rob was the Director of The Valhalla Training Center in Montrose, Colorado. Rob developed the training doctrines and programs that brought Valhalla to the attention of the entire shooting industry as a leading source of reality based firearms training. During this time, Valhalla was identified by the Rand Corporation as a leader in private sector reality based training. Rob and his team provided Extreme Close Quarters Counter Ambush training to numerous US Military Special Operations teams during and after his time with Valhalla.
Rob’s approach to personal defense with a firearm is exemplified by his Combat Focus® Shooting program. An Intuitive approach to defensive shooting that has been in constant development for well over a decade and is now taught by scores of instructors around the world. CFS is the flagship program of I.C.E. Training Company, which provides training around the world to military, law enforcement, private security and individual students interested in self-defense. Students of all abilities and backgrounds benefit from the methods Rob teaches, gaining maximum value from limited training resources and learning to develop skills that can be applied under real world conditions.

Q: How Do I Know What The Class Covers?A: Every Class has a free Preview video you can watch, to give you a flavor of the Instructor and the skills that will be covered. In addition, the Overview tab includes a thorough written description of the Class. And finally, each Class Session has a brief written summary of the content in that Session, including the length of each Session video. You will get a good feel for the Class content by reviewing these resources.

Q: Do I Have To Be A Member Of Personal Defense Network To Purchase A Class?A: No you don’t. While Premium Members will receive regular offers for special deals on PDN Academy content, Classes are not reserved exclusively for Members. If you buy a Class as a non-member, we’re sure you’d also enjoy having access to our full library of great defense videos and articles as a Member, so give it a try.

Q: How Do I Purchase A Class?A: First you should decide that the Class is what you want. Review the Class Preview video and the various written descriptions of the Class and each Session before you purchase, so you have a good understanding of the Class content. When you’re ready to purchase and gain access to the Class, simply click the “Add to Cart” button, and proceed through the Checkout process.

Q: How Do I Access/View My Class?A: Once you’ve paid, you can access/view your Class by going to the MY ACCOUNT section of Personal Defense Network. The MY ACCOUNT link is in the upper right-hand area of the website. Within your MY ACCOUNT, a section labeled “My Classes” will appear, including a link to watch the video of your Class. You’ll also receive an email confirmation after your purchase, which will include a link to view your Class. You can access your Class as many times as you wish, and you’ll never lose access to your Account information. Just be sure to “Log In” for access to MY ACCOUNT.

Q: Do I Have To Take The Class Right Away?A: No. Any Class you buy will be accessible to you always. You can view your Class whenever you want, and you can view individual Sessions in whatever order you like.

Q: Is There A Limit On The Times I Can View My Class?A: No. Your access never expires. You can view any Class you purchase as many times as you want, whenever you want.

Q: Can I View A Class On My Tablet Device Or Mobile Phone?A: No problem. Most newer-model smartphones or other mobile/tablet devices with an internet connection are able to play the Class videos. Simply Log In on Personal Defense Network, and you can view any Class you’ve bought through the MY ACCOUNT section. Or, you can click on the “View Class” link within the email confirmation you’ll receive upon your purchase.

Q: How Do I Get Access To The Bonus Materials For The Class?A: Until you purchase a Class, the Bonus material (any extra videos, download materials, etc.) will not be accessible. Once you purchase a Class, and go to view your Class, each individual Bonus element is accessible by simply clicking on each item. You’ll find the Bonus Materials directly below your main Class viewer frame. You can access the bonus materials as many times as you like and/or save them to your device.

Q: How Does The Class Q&A Resource Benefit Work?A: Once you purchase any Class, within the Class viewing page, you’ll have access to post a question, comment or tip in the Class Q&A Resource area. This is not a “live chat,” but your Class Instructor and PDN contributors will answer posted questions and provide tips regularly. You can also view other Class participants’ questions and input to take part in this virtual dialogue among others who have taken the Class and are willing to share tips, answers, or ideas.

Q: Can I Print Out Class Details?A: For any Bonus Material that is a PDF Download, yes you can. Just click on the icon/button for the Bonus element you want, and print with your local printer.

Q: What Are PDF Downloads?A: These are simply documents, or written materials that are formatted in a way to print out and retain for reference. By simply clicking on the icon/link for any PDF Download that is included with a Class, you can print that document on your own printer or simply view the contents on your computer/mobile device.

Q: Are There Any System Requirements To View The Class Video Content?A: Your Class video content is best when viewed on a computer manufactured in the past couple of years with a good broadband Internet connection (not dialup). We also highly recommend using the latest version of Firefox, Safari, or Chrome as your Internet Browser, though recent versions of Internet Explorer will work as well. The recommended screen resolution is 1024 x 768 or larger.

Q: Why Do You Need My Email?A: We need it to acknowledge your purchase of a Class, and send you a confirmation of your transaction. Also, in order to maintain your permanent access to the Class videos, you’ll need to Log In to personaldefensenetwork.com. We guarantee that we will not share your email with any third parties. You may receive email updates from Personal Defense Network from time to time, with details of new Classes and updates. You can easily unsubscribe when you receive any email.

Q: Can I Get A Refund If I Don’t Like The Class?A: Because you’ll have full access to all the materials and content that is presented in the Class immediately, we can’t offer a refund after purchase. Please review the Class Preview video and the various written descriptions of the Class and each Session before you purchase, so you have a good understanding of the Class content.

Q: How Do I Contact PDN Academy?A: If your question is about the Class content, please use the Class Q&A Resource benefit to ask your question online – and you'll receive feedback from a PDN Academy Instructor or contributor. Even your fellow Class participants may jump in to offer tips and advice from their experience. If you have other questions or need help, you can email us at pdnsubscription@program-director.net or call us toll-free, at 1-855-231-0650. Service Representatives will be available Monday-Friday, from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Central time, excluding normal holidays.

Class Sessions

VideosDuration

Session 1: Handgun Grip

9:59

Rob Pincus demonstrates that your grip is your connection to your handgun, and it is incredibly important in several ways. The right grip will help you hold on target with less effort, manage recoil and be capable of reloading your gun (as well as performing any other manipulations you might need to). In regard to defensive shooting, it is also important that your grip is achievable as efficiently as possible, especially when drawing from a holster.

Session 2: Extended Shooting Position

12:30

The Extended Shooting Position is the default position for defending yourself with a handgun. In this session, you’ll see how the best Extended Shooting Position not only assists in aligning the gun even before (or without) referencing your sights, but it will also help you manage recoil as well as possible for fast follow up shots.

Session 3: Defensive Shooting Stance

5:01

Your Defensive Shooting Stance, which will be your primary position when training and practicing, should be as congruent as possible with the type of natural athletic body position that most people move into when they are scared, surprised and/or in a fight. Rob Pincus explains that the positions may not be exactly how you end up in an actual defensive shooting, but it should be close enough that you’re able to apply the shooting skills you’ve developed as much as possible. This Session teaches how practicing in a poor stance, or one that supports target shooting only, can hamper your skill development and/or lead to a false confidence in your ability.

Session 4: Understanding High Compressed Ready Position

9:08

The High Compressed Ready Position is the default position in which to hold your defensive handgun whenever you are not actually shooting at a threat or needing to otherwise move the pistol. In the High Compressed Ready, you can assess your environment, reload your gun, clear a malfunction, move from one position to another and do just about anything else you might need to with a gun in your hand(s).

Session 5: Understanding Trigger Control

6:34

This Session focuses on Trigger Control. Here you’ll learn why it is the one mechanical part of defensive shooting that really has no counterpart in other natural activities. Isolating the movement of your trigger finger from the rest of your hand and learning to press the trigger smoothly, at a pace that varies with the need for precision, is vital to your success as a shooter.

Session 6: Understanding Presentation from the Holster

13:37

If you carry a gun in the public space, you need to be able to efficiently draw your gun from a holster and fire a shot as fast as appropriate to the circumstances. Too often, people practice shooting from their ready position only (or worse only their shooting position) and fail to develop the requisite skill to actually get their gun into a fight during a surprise event.